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Colyer blames school funding for state budget problems

“What is the cause of the state’s budget problems? School funding, according to Lt. Gov. Jeff Colyer. He told GOP supporters in Garden City last week that the state budget is ‘down a little bit, and the reason is because we’re spending more on K-12 than we ever have,’ the Garden City Telegram reported. What about state income tax cuts, which caused tax collections to drop about $700 million last fiscal year? Colyer said a drop was expected…’Nobody said it was going to go straight up.’ Does he not remember Gov. Sam Brownback’s promise that the tax cuts...
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Moving local elections will not enhance voter engagement

“Moving local elections to November might increase the number of votes cast in those races, but it would do nothing to enhance voter engagement or education. Local races and local issues are likely to get lost in the bigger state and national campaigns and many people will be voting for local candidates they know little or nothing about. Allowing voters to check a single box to vote a straight-party ticket, as some have proposed, would give voters an opportunity to cast purely partisan votes for local candidates without even having to read their names on the ballot. “The...
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Blue Valley gets in the game with Blue Valley District Supporter Facebook

Blue Valley is getting in the game! Thank you for sharing this information on the Blue Valley District Supporter Facebook page! Blue Valley District Supporter Voters of Blue Valley: It is vitally important that we stay alert and involved to maintain the excellent school district we are accustomed to as patrons in this community. We must continue supporting, encouraging, and nominating Board of Education members who share our interest in the quality school district that benefits our children and enhances our property values. Do you wonder why Pam Robinson’s opponent was endorsed by Americans for Prosperity? (Two AFP...
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Block grants reduce equalization aid, districts concerned

“The [block grant] law took effect on Thursday [April 2nd] and applies to districts for the current fiscal year, which runs through June 30, and the next two fiscal years. “The law reduces the amount of ‘equalization’ aid school districts receive for capital outlay and local option budgets. That’s money that school districts already had included in the current year’s budgets. In some cases, they already had received more state equalization funds than the state now says they’re entitled to, so they’re trying to figure out how to repay that money…This isn’t a problem, say state legislators. Their...
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